Solved Sound not working

  • Hi there and welcome to PC Help Forum (PCHF), a more effective way to get the Tech Support you need!
    We have Experts in all areas of Tech, including Malware Removal, Crash Fixing and BSOD's , Microsoft Windows, Computer DIY and PC Hardware, Networking, Gaming, Tablets and iPads, General and Specific Software Support and so much more.

    Why not Click Here To Sign Up and start enjoying great FREE Tech Support.

    This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn More.
  • Hello everyone We want to personally apologize to everyone for the downtime that we've experienced. We are working to get everything back up as quickly as possible. Due to the issues we've had, your password will need to be reset. Please click the button that says "Forgot Your Password" and change it. We are working to have things back to normal. Emails are fixed and should now send properly. Thank you all for your patience. Thanks, PCHF Management
Status
Not open for further replies.
A

Art Layton

PCHF Member
Oct 18, 2016
32
4
77
About two weeks ago I stopped getting any sound from my computer. Computer is 3-year old Dell running Windows 10. Speaker power is on. There is a red X on the speaker icon on the bottom bar. I run the troubleshooter and it doesn't identify the problem. Suggestions where to start?
 
Any sound through headphones?

What does Device Manager show, under Sound Video and Game controllers?

Is Windows Audio Service started and running?

I never go by the red x. After a Windows update and reboot (Windows 7), I get a red X over the speaker icon yet the Windows startup sound plays, sound on YouTube videos can be hard and sounds in games on my computer play with no problem. And this isn't just one computer; we have four Windows 7 computers in the house and I've noted this behavior at various times on all four.
 
  • Like
Reactions: veeg
I should mention. When I move the mouse over the red x on the sound icon, it reads "no speakers or headphones are plugged in". But the speakers are plugged in.
 
I just moved the speaker plug from the back panel connector marked "front L/R line-out connector" to "rear L/R surround connector". Red x is gone but still no sound.
 
Hi there Art and welcome to PCHF :)

What is your audio setup like? 5.1? Also, what is the brand name and model of your audio setup?
 
NVIDIA card; just the regular speakers that came with the computer. Not sure about 5.1; I don't think so.
 
Hi Art :) What model is the Dell PC? So we can see what driver you need to reinstall for audio...
or you could see if system restore is on, and if it is restore PC to a time before the audio issue
 
Studio XPS 9000. I can only restore up to ten days ago because windows was updated. And the sound problem started more than ten days ago. Just noticed on the invoice that I purchased it six years ago.
 
Windows audio service is running and starts automatically. It shows speakers not plugged in - but when I plug in the speakers in the correct outlet I get the red x on the sound icon. I don't have any headphones to test. I have rconnected the speakers to the appropriate outlet on the back of the computer. Red x on sound icon appears. Run troubleshooter and get no diagnosis. I GUESS THE NEXT THING I WILL DO IS TRY ANOTHER SET OF SPEAKERS OR HEAD PHONES.
 
Last edited:
Okay, connected headphones to computer. Ran diagnostics, loaded updated driver and now I have sound thru headphones - but not speaker. This is good enough. Thanks everyone for their advice.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jmarket and veeg
Art Layton said:
Okay, connected headphones to computer. Ran diagnostics, loaded updated driver and now I have sound thru headphones - but not speaker. This is good enough. Thanks everyone for their advice.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the update..if you are sure about those external speakers not working i will mark this thread..
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top Bottom